In 1986 the consensus among such biologists that the evolutionary path from primitive Cambrian chordates, e.g. Pikaia, to homo sapiens was a highly improbable event. For example, the large brains of humans have marked adaptive disadvantages, requiring as they do an expensive metabolism, a long gestation period, and a childhood lasting more than 25% of the average total life span. Other improbable features of humans include:

* Being the only extant bipedal land vertebrate. Combined with an unusual eye-hand coordination, this permits dextrous manipulations of the physical environment with the hands;
* A vocal apparatus far more expressive than that of any other mammal, enabling speech. Speech makes it possible for humans to interact cooperatively, to share knowledge, and to acquire a culture;
* The capability of formulating abstractions to a degree permitting the invention of mathematics, and the discovery of science and technology. Keep in mind how recently humans acquired anything like their current scientific and technological sophistication.

Few questions here that are important for my theological reflection (as it is my domain of interest) as it seem that the evolution to homo sapiens seems improbable.

What if homo sapiens did not arise from evolution?

1) Is other form of intelligent life (like human intelligence) improbable with the evolution?

2) Is the evolution of humanoids improbable?

3) How could God knew that evolution would bring creature that will be able to have relationship with Him? Of course He is omniscient but in His omniscience He had to choose a process that would bring intelligent life.

Blessings,

Johan To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@calvin.edu with "unsubscribe asa" (no quotes) as the body of the message.

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Received on Fri Feb 9 06:17:14 2007